In my humble opinion

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Friday, 18 March 2016

Finding the perfect mascara that gives big lashes seems to be the hardest thing to get right in the green beauty world. I have tried quite a few mascaras, and have found good alternatives for day time use, but nothing that really gives those big fluttery lashes.

I bought my sample of Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara from Naturisimo quite some time ago, tempted by it's claims to thicken as well as lengthen the lashes. I like the softness of the brush, but I am afraid that is pretty much it.

I found the formula wet and messy. No matter how careful I was, most of the mascara seemed to transfer onto my eyelid. It also made a mess of the actual tube. I felt that it never dried on my lashes properly, and therefore smudged easily. It did give a little length, but I didn't find it volumising at all.

Safe to say that I am very glad to have tried the sample first, and will not be buying the full size. Do you have any recommendations for a volumising mascara?

Saturday, 13 February 2016

One of my big weaknesses is the freebies that often come with magazines, and I seem to have collected a multitude of sample sizes because of it. I really want to get on top of my stash this year, so am making a real effort to use up as many of them as I can.

I am a huge fan of Aromatherapy Associates, so when they were giving away samples of their skincare, I bought several copies of the magazine. The set includes samples of their cleanser, face mask and moisturiser

Renewing Rose Cleanser this is a real pleasure to use. It is a rich cream cleanser that is super gentle on the skin. The rose fragrance is beautiful. This is my favourite product from the set.

Hydrating Rose Face Mask. Aromatherapy Associates say that this is a deeply moisturising mask. I have to say that I don't find that to be the case. I am a bit confused by it's name, as it didn't give the results I was expecting. It is a lovely cooling mask, which is great on a hot Summer day, but not really what my skin needs during Winter. I find that I get much better results with this by using just a thin layer. This seems to give my skin a boost and a healthy glow.

Triple Rose Renewing Moisturiser this has a slightly more subtle fragrance than the cleanser, but again is a pleasure to use. This is definitely a product for dry skin as it is very moisturising. I love how soft and supple it makes my skin feel.

Tuesday, 9 February 2016

My Pure Natural Box (Third Edition) arrived yesterday, so I thought I would share my thoughts on it. These boxes are available every quarter, with the contents going live a few days before they are available to purchase.

Southsea Bathing Hut botanical Steam. This brand is brand new to me and I am very intrigued by this product. It contains marigold, rose, lavender and chamomile petals. Simply add a pinch or two to a steam treatment. When the water is cooled, you can apparently strain the flower and use as a toner. I can't wait to give this a go.

Botanicals Indulgence Body Oil. I am a huge fan of Botanicals and this smells amazing. I am very happy to receive this.

The Rose Tree Luxury Candle (No 1, travel size). I have yet to try anything by The Rose Tree, but their products have been on my wish list for quite some time. The candle smells beautiful. I left my box in my bedroom yesterday and could smell it before I was upstairs - and that is before lighting it.

Just For Tummies - Tummy Tea (3 teabags). This is a calming blend to soothe the tummy and to help you sleep. I tried one this morning and enjoyed the liquorice taste.

Angela Langford Angel Eyes Nourishing Eye Oil. This is a nourishing blend of argan, rosehip and safflower oil. It feels lovely and refreshing thanks to the addition of cucumber.

The final item is Hippy Paste Lavender by Conscious. I am hoping that this deodorant will be kinder to my skin than other similar deodorants I have tried. Fingers crossed for this one.

I think this box is fantastic value for money. Everything was carefully packaged and I received my order in a few days. Lots of these brands I am familiar with, but I haven't tried any of the products previously. I will use all the items in the box.

Thursday, 4 February 2016

I am starting the New Year on a mission to use up as much as possible. I am especially keen to use up more of my samples and be a bit more ruthless with products that don't work for me.

My first empty is one that I just haven't got on with at all. I know a lot of people love Josh Rosebrook Cacoa Antioxidant Mask, but it does nothing for me. I find the texture too dry, and it doesn't seen to improve my skin in any way.

I have used a sample of Lulu and Boo's Berry Brightening mask before and liked it. This time it left my skin bright red. I am not sure if the formula has changed or I left it on too long, but I won't be buying the full size.

FOM Overnight Rose Repair Serum was a fantastic treat for my skin once or twice a week. Would buy again once I have used up some of my other serums.

PaiKukai &Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator. I was very impressed by this, but again have so much to use up that I wont repurchase straight away.

Pai Avacado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream. I got a couple of days use out of the pot and enjoyed using it. possible repurchase in the future.

The Body Shop Almond Hand & Nail Cream. I really like these hand creams and am sure to buy again in the future.

Ren Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Polish. I much preferred the Pai sample to this so wont be repurchasing.

Therapi Orange Blossom Gel Cleanser. This is a lovely little cleanser. I want to try the Rose version next.

S.W.Basics Makeup Remover. I prefer to use this as a facial oil, rather than to remove make up. Possible repurchase.

WestLab Himalayan Salt. Cheap and cheerful, but certainly do their job. I have a couple more of these in my stash.

Kneipp Stress Free Herbal Bath. These are wonderful too, but their are other fragrances I prefer.

Bodhi & Birch Ginger Brew. This is great for massaging into sore muscles, or for adding to a bath. I have a couple of these travel sizes tucked away.

Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oils in Support Equilibrium and Support. These crop up regularly in my posts, they just work so well. I have quite a few more to use up.

Neals Yard Bee Lovely Body Lotion. I love the citrus fragrance of this. I still have another one of these to use.

Rahua Finishing Treatment. I used this as a leave in conditioner and loved the way it makes my hair look. However I hate the fragrance. It reminds me of furniture polish and it is not a cheap product to buy. I have another sachet of this to use, but would only buy if it was on special offer.

Roques ONeal Therapie Cherish Skin Repair Serum. I simply love this. I have another travel size to use. I will be rationing the next one as I got through this far too quickly.

Tuesday, 2 February 2016

As many of you know I am a keen runner, so I thought I would share a few of the things I use to keep muscle aches at bay. These are no substitute for proper warm ups and cool downs, and are in no way intended to replace seeking the correct advice in cases of injury.

I fell in love with Weleda's Arnica Muscle Soak a while ago, so treated myself to the Arnica Massage Oil when I ordered my replacement. I can no longer find the oil in stock so I am assuming the formula has been tweaked to the Arnica Massage Balm.

The fragrance is very much of Rosemary, although there is lavender as well as the Arnica flowers and Birch leaves. It has a pleasant warming sensation, which soothes away aches and pains. This is a million miles away from the Deep Heat products which in my experience are very uncomfortable for a few minutes and then lose all effectiveness. A little of this massaged into my legs after a hot bath, really does reduce muscle aches the day after my long runs.

The Arnica is also fantastic for bruises, and helps clear them up quickly. I bruise very easily and have had a couple of good falls when running, so I also use this dabbed onto any bruises for a couple of days. I notice a marked improvement in bruising when I use this.

Ginger Brew by Bodhi & Birch is a wonderful, spicy alternate to the Arnica Massage Oil. I don't think I could choose a favourite as I love them equally, although I use them for slightly different purposes.

I tend to reach for the Ginger Brew more when the temperature drops, as I find it has more of warming effect. Again I find it comforting, rather than an uncomfortable burning that I would associate with Deep Heat etc. This is particularly useful after long runs in the cold as even after a hot bath it can take quite a while for me to warm up properly.

The Ginger Brew contains Plai, Galangal, Black Pepper, Ginger and Tumeric, giving it wonderful anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. I have trouble with sciatica, and I find it more helpful than the Arnica for reducing nerve pain

Out of the three products Herbfarmacy's Meadowsweet Muscle Balm is perhaps the most gentle, but it is still something I enjoy using. The balm has a buttery soft texture which melts into the skin. It is sometimes a little easier to control a balm, than an oil. There is less of a chance of spillages when you are as clumsy as I am.

I do tend to use this after less strenuous exercise, and perhaps more for tired than aching or sore muscles. Meadowsweet Balm is made with Comfrey, Hypericum, and Meadowsweet. It also contains beeswax, so isn't suitable for vegans.

It has a lovely soft herbal fragrance and I find it very calming. I like to use this before bed as it helps me wind down and seems to help me get to sleep sooner. The fragrance is more subtle than the others, so it is less likely to transfer onto the bed sheets.

Friday, 29 January 2016

My review of Tabitha James Kraan Organic 4 in 1 Conditioner is long over due. I have had this 60ml travel size for quite some time, as it was part of a Naturisimo hair care sample box.

As the name suggests, this is a multi purpose conditioner. It can be used as either a traditional or a leave in conditioner, to moisturise the scalp or to add texture/style curls. A dry scalp is not something I suffer with, so I have only ever used this as a conditioner.

The 4 in 1 conditioner is available in either Golden Citrus or Amber Rose. The version I have is the Golden Citrus. The fragrance very much comes from the addition of Neroli.

This is very much a luxury hair product, housed in sleek packaging. Whilst is isn't a cheap product to buy, it is very good value for money. I only need to use a couple of pumps of this, so I am confident that the travel size will last me a good few months.

This is a wonderfully light, yet effective conditioner. It contains argan, rosehip and coconut oils, which give it deeply moisturising qualities. The 4 in 1 conditioner is one of the few hair products containing argan oil, which actually works well for my hair. I usually find that argan oil weighs my fine hair down and leaves it looking greasy. The conditioner leaves my hair soft and manageable, and doesn't weigh it down in the slightest.

I can honestly say that this was one of my best discoveries of 2015. I bought another of the hair care boxes for this and the Swell hair mask, as well as the Amber Rose to try next.

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

I am trying so hard to reduce the amount of products I have stashed away, instead of buying more new things. I thought I would share a couple of things that I am really enjoying at the moment.

I have only had this travel size version of Roques ONeil Therapie Cherish Skin Repair Serum for a month or so, and I have almost finished it. This serum is simply exquisite. It is bursting with incredibly nourishing oils including Ylang ylang , Frankincense, Patchouli and Neroli. The full size is firmly o my wish list.

The lovely people at Skin & Tonic very generously sent me this jar of Steam Clean before Christmas. I have worked my way through several samples of this amazing balm. This is my favourite product from the brand, and definitely one of my favourite cleansing balms. I love the fresh minty fragrance and how well it performs.

This Marigold & Comfrey Handcream by Organic Pharmacy was a magazine freebie a while ago. This is light formula is deceptively moisturising and has a lovely citrus fragrance. I love how soft it leaves my hands.